Involvement of surgical residents in the management of trauma patients in the emergency room: does the presence of an attending physician affect outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated whether the presence or absence of attending physicians (AP) in the emergency department (ED) during the management of trauma patients by residents.
METHODS: Six level 1 trauma center admissions for years 2006-2008 were analyzed to determine whether presence of an AP affected the time spent in the ED, post-ED disposition, and in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS: Patient demographics differed in relation to the presence of APs (P < 0.01). Patients with ISS > 25 who died during hospitalization were more often managed when APs were present. Male patients, those <65, and patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 16 were more often treated in the presence of an AP (P < 0.01). Penetrating, terror trauma, motor vehicle collision and assaults were more often managed in the presence APs. Presence of APs differed by hospital (P < 0.0001). Adjusted logistic regression revealed that patients spent less time in the ED, went directly to the operating room or the ICU for definitive care, if an AP was present.
CONCLUSIONS: Presence of an attending physician improved and focused patient triage, disposition decisions, and outcomes.